Recent Posts
Feeding The Beast
May 10, 2012
Oops!
May 3, 2012
What If This Present Were The World's Last Night?
April 26, 2012
Teen Issues
The Alcohol & Sex Connection
November 5, 2009
Eighty Percent of first sexual experiences occur under the influence of alcohol. This is not exactly how most girls dreamed of losing their virginity. It's not surprising that two-thirds of teens girls regret having sex. Alcohol lowers inhibitions, impairs judgment and interferes with decision-making. Alcohol abuse is directly related to unplanned and risky sexual behavior. Here are some facts o 80% of first sexual experiences occur under the influence of alcohol o 51% of college students...
November 5, 2009
Eighty Percent of first sexual experiences occur under the influence of alcohol. This is not exactly how most girls dreamed of losing their virginity. It's not surprising that two-thirds of teens girls regret having sex. Alcohol lowers inhibitions, impairs judgment and interferes with decision-making. Alcohol abuse is directly related to unplanned and risky sexual behavior. Here are some facts o 80% of first sexual experiences occur under the influence of alcohol o 51% of college students...
The bogus self-esteem movement
November 4, 2009
Genuine self-esteem is the result of an intricate conspiracy between what we think about ourselves, how those we love think and feel about us, and how we live our lives. Previous generations did not believe that esteeming the “self” was all that necessary. On the contrary, one’s actions were of utmost importance. In other words, what one “did” was infinitely more important than how one felt about him or herself. Those who succeeded in fulfilling their personal, social and moral obligations...
November 4, 2009
Genuine self-esteem is the result of an intricate conspiracy between what we think about ourselves, how those we love think and feel about us, and how we live our lives. Previous generations did not believe that esteeming the “self” was all that necessary. On the contrary, one’s actions were of utmost importance. In other words, what one “did” was infinitely more important than how one felt about him or herself. Those who succeeded in fulfilling their personal, social and moral obligations...
Substance Abuse and Depression Among Teens
November 3, 2009
Most addicted teens don’t consciously intend to kill themselves. But many become so depressed that they just don’t care one way or the other. I had been smoking marijuana for 2 years but pot wasn’t doing it for me anymore. II was failing school lost all my real friends--I hated everything. So one night I got 5 Vicodin and was drinking vodka. I remember thinking that if I do this, I may never wake up. It was funny; the thought of never waking up didn’t scare me as much as the thought of facing...
November 3, 2009
Most addicted teens don’t consciously intend to kill themselves. But many become so depressed that they just don’t care one way or the other. I had been smoking marijuana for 2 years but pot wasn’t doing it for me anymore. II was failing school lost all my real friends--I hated everything. So one night I got 5 Vicodin and was drinking vodka. I remember thinking that if I do this, I may never wake up. It was funny; the thought of never waking up didn’t scare me as much as the thought of facing...
Sex and Depression Among Teen Girls
October 9, 2009
“I used to think it was cool to be a party girl, drink and hook up with cute guys--but what I really want is for someone to want to spend time with me and try to get to know me. After the sex, the guys are never interested in anything else—-its so depressing.” --Tanya, age 16 The truth is--the party girl, hook-up thing doesn’t work. Instead of the fun and liberation it promises, it delivers disease, heartbreak, shame and despair. Yet Hollywood and the star crazed media hold...
October 9, 2009
“I used to think it was cool to be a party girl, drink and hook up with cute guys--but what I really want is for someone to want to spend time with me and try to get to know me. After the sex, the guys are never interested in anything else—-its so depressing.” --Tanya, age 16 The truth is--the party girl, hook-up thing doesn’t work. Instead of the fun and liberation it promises, it delivers disease, heartbreak, shame and despair. Yet Hollywood and the star crazed media hold...
Substance Abuse and Depression Among Teens
October 8, 2009
Most addicted teens don’t consciously intend to kill themselves. But many become so depressed that they just don’t care one way or the other. I had been smoking marijuana for 2 years but pot wasn’t doing it for me anymore. II was failing school, lost all my real friends--I hated everything. So one night I got 5 Vicodin and was drinking vodka. I remember thinking that if I do this, I may never wake up. It was funny, the thought of never waking up didn’t scare me as much as the thought...
October 8, 2009
Most addicted teens don’t consciously intend to kill themselves. But many become so depressed that they just don’t care one way or the other. I had been smoking marijuana for 2 years but pot wasn’t doing it for me anymore. II was failing school, lost all my real friends--I hated everything. So one night I got 5 Vicodin and was drinking vodka. I remember thinking that if I do this, I may never wake up. It was funny, the thought of never waking up didn’t scare me as much as the thought...
What are some tips for parents who want to take an active role in their teen’s recovery from addictive disease?
September 28, 2009
Part 4 of facing your teen’s addiction Here are some tips: Start a conversation by asking open-ended questions. Open-ended questions… cannot be answered “yes” or “no” allow your child to give spontaneous and honest answers—she should tell her story in her own words usually begin with: “Tell me about…” “Describe…” “To what extent…” “What was that like?” “Help me understand…” Affirm his worth, courage and challenges....
September 28, 2009
Part 4 of facing your teen’s addiction Here are some tips: Start a conversation by asking open-ended questions. Open-ended questions… cannot be answered “yes” or “no” allow your child to give spontaneous and honest answers—she should tell her story in her own words usually begin with: “Tell me about…” “Describe…” “To what extent…” “What was that like?” “Help me understand…” Affirm his worth, courage and challenges....
What are the emotional challenges that parents will face when their teen is recovering from an addictive disease?
September 26, 2009
Part 3 of facing your teen’s addiction Substance abuse hinders emotional development in teens. This is due to the psychoactive effects of drugs on the emotional center (limbic system) in the brain. All drugs of abuse change how this part of the brain functions. Teens learn that using drugs and alcohol will quickly change their mood. When a teen is bored, smoking marijuana makes the time pass. When they feel depressed, alcohol or cocaine works wonders—for a while. We become emotionally...
September 26, 2009
Part 3 of facing your teen’s addiction Substance abuse hinders emotional development in teens. This is due to the psychoactive effects of drugs on the emotional center (limbic system) in the brain. All drugs of abuse change how this part of the brain functions. Teens learn that using drugs and alcohol will quickly change their mood. When a teen is bored, smoking marijuana makes the time pass. When they feel depressed, alcohol or cocaine works wonders—for a while. We become emotionally...
What are the social challenges that parents will face when their teen is recovering from an addictive disease?
September 25, 2009
Part 2 of facing your teen’s addiction One of the indications of addiction is the extent to which one’s life becomes organized around using drugs or alcohol. For addicted teens, there is almost always a well-defined sub-culture of friends, associates, parties, and rituals that becomes the center of their social life. Healthy activities that used to capture their imagination such as sports and academics soon become secondary to the “party” culture.” Helping teens find a new, drug-free...
September 25, 2009
Part 2 of facing your teen’s addiction One of the indications of addiction is the extent to which one’s life becomes organized around using drugs or alcohol. For addicted teens, there is almost always a well-defined sub-culture of friends, associates, parties, and rituals that becomes the center of their social life. Healthy activities that used to capture their imagination such as sports and academics soon become secondary to the “party” culture.” Helping teens find a new, drug-free...
How do I keep my child from being deceitful?
September 23, 2009
Character involves many things from being a person of faith, to someone who works hard, who abides by their commitments and responsibilities, who has come into their own sense of themselves and their worth. However, the true character of a person is who they are when no one else is watching. It is in the little things that true character manifests itself. For instance, if a salesperson gives you too much change, do you go back to the store and return the correct amount, or rationalize:...
September 23, 2009
Character involves many things from being a person of faith, to someone who works hard, who abides by their commitments and responsibilities, who has come into their own sense of themselves and their worth. However, the true character of a person is who they are when no one else is watching. It is in the little things that true character manifests itself. For instance, if a salesperson gives you too much change, do you go back to the store and return the correct amount, or rationalize:...
Why guys get addicted to Porn
September 16, 2009
Guys get addicted to pornography because their brains cannot distinguish between pornography and the real thing. Men who view porn can achieve full arousal within seconds. Because of dopamine reward, sexual images and memories are given priority by the brain because, like hunger and thirst, our sex drive is key to our survival. Like important files on a computer's hard drive, pornographic images and associated emotions are easily provoked, accessed and opened. For teens in particular,...
September 16, 2009
Guys get addicted to pornography because their brains cannot distinguish between pornography and the real thing. Men who view porn can achieve full arousal within seconds. Because of dopamine reward, sexual images and memories are given priority by the brain because, like hunger and thirst, our sex drive is key to our survival. Like important files on a computer's hard drive, pornographic images and associated emotions are easily provoked, accessed and opened. For teens in particular,...
© 2011 Paul Anderson Ministries